Dr. Rawana and Karli are based out of Lakehead University in Thunderbay, at the Centre of Education and Research on Positive YouthDevelopment (CERPYD). They have hit the ground running, engaging stakeholders in their region, and will also be contributing to our knowledge mobilization work. We are especially looking forward to the insight Dr. Rawana and Karli bring around rural youth issues, PYD, and topics relating to Aboriginal and Indigenous youth.

Associate Professor of Psychology, Lakehead University
Director of the Centre of Education and Research on Positive Youth Development (CERPYD)

What is one word you would use to describe YouthREX?
Strength

What are you excited about, when it comes to your work with YouthREX?I am excited to be apart of a provincial organization with the potential to impact youth development. I am pleased to be apart of a wide reaching organization that authenticates and supports positive youth development.

More about Dr. Rawana:Dr. Rawana is a Child &Adolescent Clinical Psychologist. His broad research and clinical interests are in the study of strengths and high-risk behaviors in children, adolescents and their families. He has a particular interest in the assessment of Psychological Strengths and the use of these strengths to address educational and mental health issues with a variety of populations including youth in conflict with the law and youth who exhibit challenging behaviours. Additionally, Dr. Rawana has authored and coauthored over 30 academic and professional publications on strengths and risk behaviours in children and adolescents. The latest being a book entitled, “Reshaping School Culture: Implementing a Strengths-Based Approach in School.” His other co-authored book is titled “Strengths and the Ontario Language Curriculum: Strengths-Based Lessons for Grades 4-6.”

Dr. Rawana has also co-created the Strength Assessment Inventory for Children and Adolescents. Dr. Rawana has consulted extensively to organizations that address the mental health, educational and addiction challenges of children and adolescents.

What are you excited about, when it comes to your work with YouthREX?I’m excited by the opportunity to highlight the capabilities and accomplishments of youth by creating both space and opportunities for information sharing, collaboration, and growth. This project is recognition of the power of youth and I’m pleased to be a part of a project that recognizes, and builds upon these strengths.

More about Karli:For the past decade I’ve worked in the social justice field, in a variety of positions in varied capacities. I’ve worked directly with youth as an instructor at Confederation College as well as a teaching assistant at Lakehead University. While working at a provincial Indigenous women’s organization I was involved in a number of youth entered research projects, including determining the educational and employment needs of Indigenous youth, and the role that the education system has in addressing the issue of violence against Indigenous women.